Outside my window
Dark and cool. I am enjoying some quiet time all to myself.
Currently reading
Gosh ! Lots of library books for Sophia. That's the first thing that came to my mind ! She has me carrying armloads of books home from the public library this week. She is really enjoying having me read the stories to her...and is showing such a great interest in them (and in learning to read too)!
Me? I've really got to carve some time out to read more. I was always an avid reader. A bookworm of sorts. One of my favorite places to go was the bookstore. I don't get there often and when I do, I usually spend my time replacing all of the books that my son takes off of the shelves (which is what I do at the library too, come to think of it). Having kids greatly changes things. But I do wish I could find the time to read more. I have even thought of getting a Kindle; maybe something "new and different" that would sort of spark and force me to find the time to read.
I recently picked up the book by Fr. John of Kronstadt again...as "life" interrupted me the first time I tried to read it.
Me? I've really got to carve some time out to read more. I was always an avid reader. A bookworm of sorts. One of my favorite places to go was the bookstore. I don't get there often and when I do, I usually spend my time replacing all of the books that my son takes off of the shelves (which is what I do at the library too, come to think of it). Having kids greatly changes things. But I do wish I could find the time to read more. I have even thought of getting a Kindle; maybe something "new and different" that would sort of spark and force me to find the time to read.
I recently picked up the book by Fr. John of Kronstadt again...as "life" interrupted me the first time I tried to read it.
I am thankful
for a wonderful and faithful friend....who had enough LOVE for me to challenge my COMPLETE FAITH in GOD in most difficult aspects of my life.
From the kitchen
Well, "kinda" from my kitchen...but really from my Mac - is a new recipe program/app. YUMMYSOUP! I have really been struggling to find a convenient way to organize most of my recipes. Books, papers, cards, bookmarked websites, etc...just a mess. I decided to give it a try since it was 50% off when the Mac App store opened up. I love it ! It is so easy to use (aren't all things Mac?) and pleasing to the eye as well. I am still migrating everything over in my "spare" time.
I am thinking
about my Uncle who is in need of a bone marrow transplant.
about my Uncle who is in need of a bone marrow transplant.
I am listening to
my husband rip the coupons out of the paper....grocery shopping day is tomorrow !
I am creating
fun, accessible, playful rooms for my children. It's funny because when they were "smaller", everything in their room was OUT OF REACH. Cute little knick-knacks, glass frames, all sorts of senseless decor...beautifully placed out of reach. More for the adults to look at really. Now, I am constantly moving things around or adding things to make their room more "child-friendly". They both have little desks/tables to draw (and plenty of washable crayons for Demetri), little reading nooks, play kitchens, mirrors at their height. I am sure I will get used to it, but everytime I walked through their rooms today I would catch a glimpse of only my KNEES in the mirrors ! Fun stuff !
A few plans for the rest of the week
Plans ! ha ! I'm not sure why I bother but we do have some sketchy plans laid out. Playtime with a friend, storytime at the library, exercise and play at the Y, gymnastics class, Liturgy, pitching lesson appointments....and preparing for a little roadtrip. We depart Friday morning. So, no plans - but a very busy week of course !
Beauty in the home/Around the house
I am not sure it is noticeable yet, but i have been attempting to de-clutter some more around the house. My father has installed shelves in our hall/coat closet so that I can use it for storage instead of coats ! It is working out great and now I am moving on to other areas of the house to organize and utilize my new space. On a daily basis, I have been trying to have the kids help me straighten the living area and kitchen so that at least ONE part of the house feels peaceful upon entering. I'm sure there is nothing worse for my husband than walking through the front door after work and seeing a chaotic mess. I remember my own mother would say that if the kitchen was neat and orderly than it gave a certain peace to the home. She was right. Our kitchen when I was growing up was large and the center of our house, so if it was a mess then the whole place seemed disorderly.
I am not sure it is noticeable yet, but i have been attempting to de-clutter some more around the house. My father has installed shelves in our hall/coat closet so that I can use it for storage instead of coats ! It is working out great and now I am moving on to other areas of the house to organize and utilize my new space. On a daily basis, I have been trying to have the kids help me straighten the living area and kitchen so that at least ONE part of the house feels peaceful upon entering. I'm sure there is nothing worse for my husband than walking through the front door after work and seeing a chaotic mess. I remember my own mother would say that if the kitchen was neat and orderly than it gave a certain peace to the home. She was right. Our kitchen when I was growing up was large and the center of our house, so if it was a mess then the whole place seemed disorderly.
The Domestic Church
The children are participating more and more in our morning prayers and it is becoming a nice time of our day. It started out were I would just have them in the room while I prayed, as long as they were quiet they could sit on the bed or read a book, etc. I don't really even think I noticed as things changed, it just seamlessly started to all come together. They "read" their own prayers and chant, ask me to pray for certain people, venerate the icons, etc. I try to keep the time we are together there relatively short, as they are only 4 and 2...but sometimes I don't realize it and they are still with me and I have finished an entire Akathist to the Mother of God in addition to our morning prayers. (Don't get me wrong, there are many times I am chasing them into the kitchen to bring them back in my room...but we need to celebrate the positive, right?) We have also provided them with icons that are hung on the wall at THEIR height in our room. I really think this has helped them participate more. Even at non-specific times during the day I can find one of them in there doing metanoia and venerating the Icons. What a blessing. Glory to God for all things.
The children are participating more and more in our morning prayers and it is becoming a nice time of our day. It started out were I would just have them in the room while I prayed, as long as they were quiet they could sit on the bed or read a book, etc. I don't really even think I noticed as things changed, it just seamlessly started to all come together. They "read" their own prayers and chant, ask me to pray for certain people, venerate the icons, etc. I try to keep the time we are together there relatively short, as they are only 4 and 2...but sometimes I don't realize it and they are still with me and I have finished an entire Akathist to the Mother of God in addition to our morning prayers. (Don't get me wrong, there are many times I am chasing them into the kitchen to bring them back in my room...but we need to celebrate the positive, right?) We have also provided them with icons that are hung on the wall at THEIR height in our room. I really think this has helped them participate more. Even at non-specific times during the day I can find one of them in there doing metanoia and venerating the Icons. What a blessing. Glory to God for all things.
In the garden
Sophia and I have been talking about what we are going to plant this year...she has her own ideas, of course. I plan to keep it simple again, very similar to last year. It was a great experience for all of us - but I am not sure we are ready to expand anytime soon. We also do not have any more areas that get enough sun for a full garden. We will need to clean out our gardening box and get the necessary items.
Sophia and I have been talking about what we are going to plant this year...she has her own ideas, of course. I plan to keep it simple again, very similar to last year. It was a great experience for all of us - but I am not sure we are ready to expand anytime soon. We also do not have any more areas that get enough sun for a full garden. We will need to clean out our gardening box and get the necessary items.
One of my favorite things
I love sitting on the couch with the children at night, reading them stories.
I love sitting on the couch with the children at night, reading them stories.
Sophia
The little lady has been going to gymnasics for a few months now and just loves it. I am so glad that she has found something that she really enjoys. She goes to her class once per week and starts asking me "how many more days?" the very next morning after class.
The little lady has been going to gymnasics for a few months now and just loves it. I am so glad that she has found something that she really enjoys. She goes to her class once per week and starts asking me "how many more days?" the very next morning after class.
Demetrios
My little man is getting "so big". He is now in a toddler bed, as we have decided to get rid of his crib. It has been almost a month and it is going fairly well. He has to be returned to his room a few times per night...but it's getting better. Well, last night WASN'T better - but I am going to chalk that up to the fact that he just wasn't tired enough to sleep. I think he came out of his room 85 times in a 3 hour time period. I couldn't even keep my eyes open anymore so eventually he just slept with me anyway.
My little man is getting "so big". He is now in a toddler bed, as we have decided to get rid of his crib. It has been almost a month and it is going fairly well. He has to be returned to his room a few times per night...but it's getting better. Well, last night WASN'T better - but I am going to chalk that up to the fact that he just wasn't tired enough to sleep. I think he came out of his room 85 times in a 3 hour time period. I couldn't even keep my eyes open anymore so eventually he just slept with me anyway.
Picture though to share
